Alabama Teacher Disciplined For Math Quiz About Pimps & Prostitutes

School officials can’t explain how the test slipped their scrutiny.

Students in JoAnne Bolser’s middle school class were, at first, surprised when she gave them a math quiz that used pimps, gang members, and cocaine as test questions. Their surprise turned to shock when she told them the test wasn’t a joke.

Parent Erica Hall told NBC affiliate WPMI-TV that her son snapped a picture of the quiz and sent it to her. She and her husband, both outraged, visited the principal.

According to NBC, school communications director Rena Philips said Hall and her husband were the only parents to complain, even though a lot of anger was expressed on social media. She said school officials quickly addressed the issue:

“The principal looked into it and then our school resource officer investigated it and then we immediately put the teacher on administrative leave.”

According to Philips, there was a breakdown of the lesson plan review process. She stated that senior administrators normally review teachers’ lesson plans, but it was unknown whether Bolser’s quiz was approved or if she bypassed the review system.

What is known is that the quiz, called “The L.A. Math Proficiency Test” or “The City of Los Angeles High School Proficiency Exam,” has been floating around since the mid-1980s, according to Snopes.com, which examines urban legends.

Philips stated that she doesn’t know whether Bolser, who was set to retire, would appeal her punishment.